Counter Terrorism
The UK’s national threat level is currently SEVERE, meaning a terrorist attack is highly likely. Hotel staff play a vital role in maintaining the safety and security of guests, colleagues, and premises. It is essential that all staff remain vigilant, aware of their surroundings, and confident in reporting anything suspicious or unusual. This guidance has been developed to help you protect your hotel, guests, and fellow staff members. Throughout this document, you will find links to official UK Counter Terrorism guidance, providing further practical advice and information on each topic.
ProtectUK provides free advice, guidance and learning to help businesses and communities understand protective security and improve their response to the risk of terrorism. This includes further details on terrorist threat levels to guidance protocols to aid you and your staff. Training information can also be found here E-Learning | ProtectUK
National guidance recommends the hotel completes security risk management processes and has access to the latest news and resources, further details of which can be found at the following Risk Management Basics | ProtectUK This will enable each hotel to identify and manage potential risks. The National Protective Security Authority also provides further guidance on a broad range of protective security topics.
Terrorists generally select their targets to cause mass causalities, infrastructure damage, attract widespread media coverage and/or cause economic and psychological damage to the population. The most likely attack methodologies include:
Vehicle as a Weapon (VAW) attack - the deliberate use of a vehicle to injure and kill people or damage infrastructure.
Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack - a vehicle which contains and delivers an explosive device to a target. Either through a penetrative attack on a building or parked next to a target.
Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) attack – A suicide bomber with an Improvised Explosive Device on their person.
Placed Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) attack – An IED is a bomb which can be made from Homemade Explosives (HME).
Post/Deliveries – an IED or White Powder package delivered through the postal or courier system.
Marauding Terrorist Attack (MTA) – fast-moving, violent incidents where assailants move through a location aiming to find and kill or injure as many people as possible.
Fire as Weapon (FAW) – The deliberate use of fire within a terrorist attack.
Managing the risk of terrorism is only one part of a Hotels responsibility when preparing contingency plans. Further guidance can be found on the Information for Managers webpage.
Key rules / Immediate Actions you should follow in relation to a suspicious item:
Use the HOT (Hidden, Obvious, Typical) Protocol to inform your judgement:
Is it HIDDEN?
Is it OBVIOUSLY suspicious?
Is it TYPICAL?
What to do:
Do not touch it.
Make immediate enquiries to trace the owner.
Did anyone see who left it?
Can CCTV be checked?
Does it have a label identifying the owner?
Remember: If you think it’s suspicious, REPORT IT - to Security, management or the police.
Apply the 4Cs (Confirm, Clear, Communicate, Control) protocol:
CONFIRM the item is suspicious:
CLEAR the immediate area:
COMMUNICATE
CONTROL access to the cordoned area
In an emergency call 999
For suspicious activity or information that can help prevent terrorism call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321